Preparing and pouring concrete pad for a plastic shed. Dig, Gravel, Tamp, Screed, Trowel.

Preparing and pouring concrete pad for a plastic shed. Dig, Tamp, Screed, Trowel. What to Know About Concrete Mix There is a lot to know about working with a concrete mix. While bagged concrete is what most DIYers use, ready-mix concrete is suitable for large jobs and is delivered by concrete truck. It’s purchased from a concrete supplier and delivered by a concrete mixing truck that mixes it while it drives to the pour site. The benefit is that suppliers can create a mix that’s formulated for the specific job, and it’s professionally delivered and dropped into place. However, for most smaller DIY projects, bagged concrete mix that can be purchased online or from a home improvement center is similar to what a supplier produces. A concrete mix has all the ingredients in the bag, except for the water. While it’s still important to work quickly to achieve optimal results, the bagged formula allows a DIYer to mix smaller batches and have a little more control over the process. One important detail to consider is the strength of the concrete mix and making sure the right pounds per square inch (psi) is used for the job. For example, 3,000 psi is appropriate for a patio or driveway. Footings require stronger concrete of about 3,500 to 4,000 psi. Here’s a simple way to calculate how much concrete is needed for a project: multiply the foundation’s length by its width by its height to come up with its cubic footage. Divide the cubic footage by 27 to determine cubic yards . For a truly professional job, use both a wood or bull float and a magnesium “mag” float to further smooth the concrete. First, apply the larger flat-bottomed wood or bull float to the concrete. When pushing the wood float away from you, keep the far side slightly elevated. When bringing the float back toward you, the side facing you should be slightly elevated—this will help avoid drag marks. Use the magnesium hand float next, with sweeping semicircular motions for the final finish. Groove the concrete every 4 to 6 feet in width. This will let it expand and contract with temperature changes, preventing surface cracks. This pad had the relief cuts cut into it the next day when the forms were removed. Learning to pour concrete may save money and build your skills, but without proper equipment and attention to detail, the results can look far from professional. Concrete —generally a combination of cement, sand, gravel, and water—can be tricky to mix and manipulate. Moreover, its fairly quick-drying constitution tends to make any mess-ups permanent. Fortunately, whether you plan to make a patio slab or a driveway, working in small areas divided by concrete forms and using bagged concrete mix can make the job easier for a DIYer. While there are many variations to concrete mixes and uses, this how-to-pour-concrete guide involves the basics of using a bagged concrete mix in a small residential setting to help make pouring concrete more manageable.